MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Tom Harney
Date of Issue: May 23rd 2011
Contact numbers:
07980 280074
0151 3272146
Lib Dem office: 0151 691 8544

LIB DEMS TELL LABOUR: TIME TO SPELL OUT PLANS

Commenting after the Council meeting (Monday 23rd May) during which the Liberal Democrats abstained on a motion that enabled Labour to take minority control of Wirral Council, Wirral Lib Dem Leader, Cllr Tom Harney said:

"Prior to this evening's Council meeting, we held discussions with both the Conservatives and Labour. However, given the election results and our reduced numbers, we recognised that we were not given a mandate to continue running the Council as part of a coalition. But we are not giving our backing to the other two parties either.

"We have not made any agreements with Labour. We will not be agreeing any kind of strategy with them and we will not be doing any ‘deals'. There will be no easy ride for them. The onus is now on them to present sensible and coherent policies. As an opposition party we will act in a responsible and constructive manner and will be casting our votes on an issue by issue basis. Labour will have to work hard to do things the right way if they want our support on any issues and we will hold them to account when they get it wrong.

"We will be keeping a close eye on the budget – we have shown it is possible to balance the books without compulsory redundancy or damage to front line services. We will be expecting the new administration to continue the successful work to engage with residents and businesses through the ‘Wirral's Future' consultations and we will be applying pressure to make sure any opportunities to make this Council more democratic are seized upon with significant powers delegated to the local level.

"At all times our purpose will be to ensure the Liberal Democrat voice is heard and our influence is brought to bear in the best interests of the local people we all represent.

"Labour must now set out their policies for Wirral. The ball is in their court and they must respond in detail. We will not stand for Labour blaming the coalition government for their own short comings. The challenges this Council face require imagination, creativity and flexibility of thought from those leading this Council. It involves the taking of responsibility rather than the shirking of it by passing the buck or blaming others. That is what real leadership is all about."